The German EU Blue Card, or the Blaue Karte, is a special residence permit designed for non-EU nationals who have completed university education and are stepping into skilled roles in Germany. To qualify for this Blue Card, your salary must exceed the national average, ensuring that highly educated professionals are welcomed into well-compensated positions in the German workforce.
If you're considering applying for a German Blue Card, here's what you need to know:
Feature |
Germany Opportunity Card |
EU Blue Card Via Germany |
Points-based: Age, qualifications, language skills, work experience, and ties to Germany. No job offer needed initially. |
University degree or equivalent qualifications and a job offer in Germany. Minimum employment contract of one year. |
|
Salary Threshold |
NA |
€44,300 annually (as of 2024); €41,041.80 (as of 2024) for shortage occupations. |
Processing Time |
3 to 8 weeks |
2–3 months |
Fees |
Around €75 for application processing. |
€100–€140 for application processing. |
Dependents |
Family members allowed but subject to standard visa conditions after main applicants gets the visa |
Family reunification rules are relaxed. Spouses can work without German language requirements. |
Validity |
Up to one year, renewable upon meeting requirements for another 2 years. |
Valid for up to four years or the length of the employment contract plus three months. Renewable. |
Permanent Residency |
Leads to PR after converting to a Work visa subject to conditions |
Can apply for PR after 33 months of stay subject to conditions |
Below is the list of professionals eligible to apply for the German EU Blue Card:
If you hold a university degree and are highly skilled in your field, you may be eligible for a German Blue Card. This opportunity is tailored for professionals like you, who have advanced education and are ready to bring their expertise to the German workforce.
The documents required for a Germany Blue Card application in Germany are:
To obtain an EU Blue Card, you'll need to start the process at the Foreigner’s Office in Germany. First, secure a job in Germany and then visit the German embassy in your country to apply for an entry visa. Once you've arrived in Germany, you can proceed to obtain your Blue Card. Here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
Step | Details |
---|---|
Visa appointment |
You have to contact the German embassy or consulate in your country to set up a visa appointment.
If there is no German embassy in your country, you may have to travel to a neighbouring country for the application.
|
Arrange the required documents | The German embassy will provide a list of documents required for a German work visa application. |
Submit the visa application |
On the date of your appointment, you have to submit the visa documents and pay a fee.
You may also be asked to attend an interview.
|
Wait for visa decision | It can take one to three months to hear a decision on your visa application. |
Fly to Germany |
If your visa application is successful, you will receive a visa, allowing you to enter Germany.
Once there, you need to register your residence, obtain German health insurance, and open a bank account.
|
Get EU Blue Card | Once you have settled your residence, banking, and health insurance, you can submit the application for an EU Blue Card at the Ausländerbehörde (German Foreigner’s Authority). |
You can expect to receive a decision on your German Blue Card application from the Ausländerbehörde within five to six weeks. During this time, the Foreigner’s Authority collaborates closely with the German Federal Employment Agency to process your residence and work permit.
The cost of a German Blue Card is typically €110, though prices can vary slightly from €100 to €140 depending on the region within Germany.